Kenneth Stephen Bauer, 80, of rural Mendota died October 23, 2017 at his residence.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday in the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Sandy Smith officiating. Burial will take place in Troy Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to time of services on Friday in the funeral home.

Kenneth was born April 28, 1937 in Rockford to Floyd L. and Ida Oleva (Moyer) Bauer. He married Ethel Mary Pearson on January 18, 1975.

He was a member of the Triumph Methodist Church and the Troy Grove Grange. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1957-1960 while stationed in Alaska. He worked at the Troy Grove sand companies. He owned and operated the Old Triumph Inn in
Triumph for 10 years. He owned his own backhoe service for 20 years. He built several houses and owned and managed  a number of rental properties for 30 years. He retired from Manley  Bros. in Troy Grove.

He is survived by his wife Ethel; two sons, Edward M. Rich and Kenneth M. Bauer; one daughter, Melissa K. Zwart; 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Floyd (Carol) Bauer, Clyde (Lois) Bauer and William Bauer; four sisters, Evelyn Nelson, Sandra Zidarich, Carol (Daniel) Goral and Delores (Jim) Grevan.

He was preceded by a son, Kenneth, Jr.; one brother, Leonard Bauer and two sisters, Helen Campisi and Beverly Heckelsmiller.

Memorials may be directed to the Triumph Methodist Church or the donor's choice.